Help secure Worcestershire's military heritage for future generations

The Worcestershire Soldier at The Commandery is a project to restore and secure public access to Worcestershire's Regimental Museum collections.

The collections tell the stories of our local infantry and cavalry - both regulars and volunteers - from their earliest origins in 1694.

They contain objects of national significance, including six Victoria Crosses, and evidence the service and sacrifice of individuals from local families and communities through both World Wars and beyond.

At present, these collections are almost entirely in storage

Through the project, we want to bring these collections and stories out of storage and back into public view in a new long-term home.

With generous funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the UK Government's Towns Fund, we have developed plans for four new permanent galleries at The Commandery, in the heart of Worcester's heritage quarter.

The new galleries will be linked to a programme of activities and events which will offer our core audiences and a new generation of visitors more ways to participate and engage with the stories we have to share.

Delivering our plans will cost £1.3 million

This is the cost of the materials and specialist work required to conserve and safely install our heritage collections in a Grade-I listed building and to deliver our stepped-up vision of community engagement.

For the delivery of the project, we are delighted to announce that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded the Mercian Regiment Museum (Worcestershire) and Worcester City Council a grant of £1,045,122.

This represents 80% of the project cost.

For the remaining costs, the Mercian Regiment Museum (Worcestershire) has committed £100,000 of its own funds and the Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum has committed £5,000. Worcester City Council is also making a significant contribution by committing to host the display in the Commandery.

To get the project started, we must also meet our match fundraising target of £100,000 from private donations through the Commandery Appeal.

Thanks to generous support from individuals, businesses, foundations and trusts, the team have raised £90,000 of this total. A huge thank you to all who have contributed to the appeal so far.

We have £10,000 left to raise

We need your help to raise the final £10,000 of our fundraising target - this is essential for the project to go ahead.

Please donate today and help bring The Worcestershire Soldier at The Commandery to life.

Every donation, large or small, will play a direct role in making the new galleries possible and securing long-term public access to Worcestershire's military heritage.